“With additional rate cuts on the horizon and global central banks are jumping on the easing bandwagon, the demand for hard assets like gold is expected to surge, and that inflation-hedging drive could push the prices of bitcoin to $14,000 levels by the end of the year.”

OKEx observed that three central banks have slashed interest rates just this month.

The exchange also points out that there’s a virtually-100% chance of the Federal Reserve reducing its benchmark target again in September at the next FOMC policy meeting.

Bitcoin shot up 12% between the June and July FOMC meetings, as anticipation of a rate cut increased.

The Fed then slashed rates by 25 basis points toward the end of July, and OKEx has based its estimate on this relationship – even though the bitcoin price barely budged when the rate cut was formally announced.

The cryptocurrency exchange is assuming that a 25 basis rate point cut could boost the bitcoin price by 12%. That’s great for crypto bulls since traders currently expect as many as three more rate reductions in 2019.

“Assume that a 25 bps cut could give about 12% gain to BTCUSD, three more 25bps cuts could send BTCUSD to $14,000 levels by the year-end, breaking the previous high near $13,800.”

Why Should Interest Rate Cuts Bolster Crypto?

Bitcoin bulls believe that monetary easing by central governments could be a tailwind for the cryptocurrency.

That’s because low interest rates disincentivize cash hoarding and could also trigger inflation.

If this thesis holds true, then OKEx’s prediction of the year-end bitcoin price of $14,000 shouldn’t be ruled out as a fantasy.